Newsletter 14 February 2019

Half term already! This year seems to be rushing past. It does feel a little as if we are staggering towards the Finish Line though. There are clouds of coughs and colds and nasty bugs hovering over us, although I have to say that the Pre-Prep seems to have fared better than the Prep school so far… I hope that the half term break will give time for everyone to recharge and restore their health and vitality ready for the last half of the Spring Term. This week has been quite a gentle one. No trips out for anyone and lots of consolidation and reviewing of those essential core subjects so that no one forgets anything over our short break! I do have to tell you though, about a trip which the Nursery and Year One made to see the Lifeboats on Friday last week. First of all they had the opportunity to discuss the hazards of the seaside before being taken into the kit room where they were shown the clothes which Lifeboat men and women need to wear. They were then taken to the Lifeboat itself where they were shown all the carefully packed flares and safety equipment and told how the Lifeboat itself stayed safe at sea. The children were able to sit in the Captain’s seat and they discovered that any member of the crew could be in charge as they are all trained for this role. This is because there are just fifteen people on the manifest of the Mudeford Lifeboats and when the call goes out to launch they have to be there in three minutes. The first four personnel to arrive and be ready are crew for that occasion. There isn’t a rota for when they can expect to be on call, so whatever time of the day or night, they have to drop everything and go! Mel, who explained this to the children, has a small catering business and she told them that she had left baking in the oven on many an occasion to answer a call because she couldn’t assume that someone else would be there instead of her. Isn’t that amazing dedication and all voluntary work too. It was a most inspirational as well as interesting visit and gave added depth to the children’s understanding of ‘People who Help Us’ and Grace Darling, which was the impetus behind the trip. Thank you RNLI.

Newsletter 8 February 2019

We have been set a ‘Reading Challenge’ by the English Department in FSM! Children from every year group will be asked to nominate their favourite book – THE one which they think that everyone of their age should read. Their class will then vote on the books to come up with an appropriate number for their age group to read for their challenge. Above you can see the book covers from the ‘11 by 11’ challenge – eleven books for eleven year olds. These are the book titles which our eleven year olds – Year Six – have voted as the books which every eleven year old should read. So, for the Pre-Prep, Year Two children have been asked to nominate seven books, Year One six books and the Reception class have been asked to think of five books. Copies of these books will be bought by the School Library, where they will be available for the children to borrow and we would encourage all the children to read as many of the books on their list as they can. Naturally, if children wish to read books from a Challenge list above or below theirs they most certainly can. Books may be those which are read to them and we would encourage children to also choose books which they can read more independently. A list of all the ‘Challenge’ books will be compiled and made available to you, the parents. So, will you rise to the challenge? We would appreciate it if you could help your child to recall a book which they love and which they think that the children in their class would love too – in fact, it is so good that no child of their age should go into their next class without reading! Please could you think of these books for next week so that we can obtain copies for after half-term. Thank you!

Newsletter 1 February 2019

As I write, the snow is falling from grey skies and I find myself being grateful again for the warmth and brightness of the Pre-Prep. This is true in so many ways. The children, obviously, are at the centre of this. Their curiosity, joy and love of learning is at the centre of all that we do here. You, their parents, further enrich our community and of course the staff here are integral. Their patience, humour and wealth of knowledge is so important as children need to have good relationships with those who teach them. It is therefore always sad for me when I have to say goodbye to a member of staff, so you can imagine how delighted I am to be able to share with you that Jayne Davis will now be remaining at FSM. Now, isn’t that something to smile about! I hope that you are able to enjoy the snow, if it has fallen where you are, and indulge in a snuggly and safe weekend.